Building PC for the first time (for gaming)

[TomBadgerlock]

Hi good folks of HWZ Hardware Clinic, I'm hoping to get some advice from you. I'll be building my own gaming PC very soon, and I have some choices to make. I've done my fair share of research online, e.g., HardOCP, Tom's Hardware, Linus Tech Tips, etc, but nothing beats firsthand advice, especially from my fellow Singaporeans!

Long story short, I would like to play games such as Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed Black Flag, Civilization 5, Tomb Raider, Witcher 2, Far Cry 3, etc. Not to mention the upcoming ones this year, i.e., AC Unity, Far Cry 4, GTA V, etc. And I would like these games to run silky smooth at 60 FPS if possible. My monitor resolution is 1440p.

So these are the two setups I am considering:

CASE: NZXT H440
MOBO: Asus H97-Plus
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690
GPU: MSI N780 TF 6GD5/OC (GeForce GTX 780 GAMING)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 DRAM 1600MHz
HDD: WD 1TB SATA 6GB/s, 64MB Cache, 7200RPM (Caviar Black)
PSU: Corsair RM650 80+ Gold
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64 bit) OEM

TOTAL: $2007


CASE: NZXT H440
MOBO: Asus Z97-PRO(WI-FI AC)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790
GPU: MSI N780 TF 6GD5/OC (GeForce GTX 780 GAMING)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 DRAM 1600MHz
HDD: WD 2TB SATA 6GB/s, 64MB Cache, 7200RPM (Caviar Black)
PSU: Corsair AX860 80+ Platinum Certified
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64 bit) OEM

TOTAL: $2588

Prices are based on mynextcomonline.com. I hope I haven't left out any essential parts

I don't intend to overclock. Worry that I will fry the PC

I chose the 6GB version for the GPU partly because of games such as Watch Dogs, where to run Ultra textures, the game required 3GB vram and even then in some cases it wasn't enough (from what I read). Of course, I read that many people felt Watch Dogs was un-optimised for PC, so that's probably why. Nevertheless, I have a feeling that more and more graphics-intensive games in future will make greater use of vram so I decided on 6GB (for now). I am sure that someone here knows better than me though so I look forward to your advice

I didn't add an SSD because according to HARDOCP - Conclusion - HDD vs. SSD Real World Gaming Performance, using an SSD does not have much of an impact on gaming performance other than load times.

I now humbly seek and await your kind advice. TIA!

 

[shadow84]

1. you are better off getting 290x 4GB. By the time you hit 6GB, your 780 run out of juice le..

2. No need for vengeance pro rams. Normal Vengeance or g.skill will do.

3. No need WD Black. Get WD Purple will do. As ur budget is high, do include a 256gb ssd at least. SSD do not improve ur gamign experience but it will improve your overall experience when using your com for non-gaming stuff.

4. You dun need i7 for gaming. i5-4460 or 4690 will do, along with B85 mobo like MSI B85M G43 or B85 gaming.

5. Use PC themes pricelist as reference instead of MNC.

6. Can lower your psu to seasonic G650w or superflower HX600w. No need for AX or RM series.

7. As you are gaming on 1440p, to achieve 60fps on ultra is very hard. Even 780ti hard to do that, you would need dual gpu at least.

 

[Jian19]

If u not doin raid a b85 board will be good enough for ur need

I will pick gigabyte gtx780 ghz edition with ur budget

With ur budget u should consider a ssd, it might not improve much on gaming performance but it will give u a smooth and much quicker respond on daily usage

 

[shadow84]

i5-4460 + MSI B85M G43 / MSI B85 Gaming: $357 / $397
Corsair Vengeance 2x 4GB 1600mhz: $119
Crucial MX100: $162
WD Purple 1TB: $86
PowerColour 290x PCS+: $688 (Or Giga 780 GHZ edition: $829)
Seasonic G650w: $145
Fractal Design Arc Midi r2: $139
Wins 8.1 64-bit: $138

Get from pc themes.

 

[Yureak]

1. you are better off getting 290x 4GB. By the time you hit 6GB, your 780 run out of juice le..

2. No need for vengeance pro rams. Normal Vengeance or g.skill will do.

3. No need WD Black. Get WD Purple will do. As ur budget is high, do include a 256gb ssd at least. SSD do not improve ur gamign experience but it will improve your overall experience when using your com for non-gaming stuff.

4. You dun need i7 for gaming. i5-4460 or 4690 will do, along with B85 mobo like MSI B85M G43 or B85 gaming.

5. Use PC themes pricelist as reference instead of MNC.

6. Can lower your psu to seasonic G650w or superflower HX600w. No need for AX or RM series.

7. As you are gaming on 1440p, to achieve 60fps on ultra is very hard. Even 780ti hard to do that, you would need dual gpu at least.

Shadow is right. i need around 1350-1400mhz to get slightly over 60fps on 1440p on crysis 3 with all maxed except AA on FXAA. BF4 4x MSAA and all Ultra slightly over 60fps

 

[GeForce]

GTX 780 GHz Edition PCT not bringing in already. Can try TP or Cybermind(poor salesperson from last visit).
For good or for bad, this card can do 1360MHz on the WindForce cooler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AGgLYmR_ZA As seen at 5:10 of the video.

 

[wkweewee]

CASE: NZXT H440
MOBO: Asus H97-Plus
CPU: Intel Core i5-4690
GPU: MSI N780 TF 6GD5/OC (GeForce GTX 780 GAMING)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 DRAM 1600MHz
HDD: WD 1TB SATA 6GB/s, 64MB Cache, 7200RPM (Caviar Black)
PSU: Corsair RM650 80+ Gold
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64 bit) OEM

TOTAL: $2007


CASE: NZXT H440
MOBO: Asus Z97-PRO(WI-FI AC)
CPU: Intel Core i7-4790
GPU: MSI N780 TF 6GD5/OC (GeForce GTX 780 GAMING)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3 DRAM 1600MHz
HDD: WD 2TB SATA 6GB/s, 64MB Cache, 7200RPM (Caviar Black)
PSU: Corsair AX860 80+ Platinum Certified
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64 bit) OEM


I didn't add an SSD because according to HARDOCP - Conclusion - HDD vs. SSD Real World Gaming Performance, using an SSD does not have much of an impact on gaming performance other than load times.

For the first and last bold pointers, I think you would still be better off with a ssd and a normal hard drive for storage. Ssd vs cavier black is a no-fight. Yes, you are right to a certain extent that ssds do not really have an impact on gaming performance. But ssds have a huge impact on the loading time of most, if not all the applications that you are running.

Erm.. please don't pair up a non-k cpu with a z mobo as you are not overclocking lol. As for ram, you do not really need up to 16gb and yes, you can also opt for other variations of the ram at a cheaper price. Last but not least, you do not really need a platinum psu. Just get a seasonic (gold efficiency) psu and it works just fine and at a cheaper price also.

 

[TomBadgerlock]

1. you are better off getting 290x 4GB. By the time you hit 6GB, your 780 run out of juice le..

2. No need for vengeance pro rams. Normal Vengeance or g.skill will do.

3. No need WD Black. Get WD Purple will do. As ur budget is high, do include a 256gb ssd at least. SSD do not improve ur gamign experience but it will improve your overall experience when using your com for non-gaming stuff.

4. You dun need i7 for gaming. i5-4460 or 4690 will do, along with B85 mobo like MSI B85M G43 or B85 gaming.

5. Use PC themes pricelist as reference instead of MNC.

6. Can lower your psu to seasonic G650w or superflower HX600w. No need for AX or RM series.

7. As you are gaming on 1440p, to achieve 60fps on ultra is very hard. Even 780ti hard to do that, you would need dual gpu at least.

Sorry, can you explain your comment about the GPU? By the time hit 6gb it will run out of juice?

 

[shadow84]

Sorry, can you explain your comment about the GPU? By the time hit 6gb it will run out of juice?

As you said, watchdog uses a lot of VRAM, 4GB in ultra. But if u wanna hit 60fps in ultra in 1440p, your 780 will run out of raw power before you can utilise the 6GB VRAM.

So, either get the 780 ghz (if you can find) or 290x 4GB at $688.

 

[TomBadgerlock]

Haha for the first and last bold, I think you would still be better off with a ssd and a normal hard drive for storage. Ssd vs cavier black is a no-fight. Yes, you are right to a certain extent that ssds do not really have an impact on gaming performance. But ssds have a huge impact on the loading time of most, if not all the applications that you are running.

Erm.. please don't pair up a non-k cpu with a z mobo as you are not overclocking lol. As for ram, you do not really need up to 16gb and yes, you can also opt for other variations of the ram at a cheaper price. Last but not least, you do not really need a platinum psu. Just get a seasonic (gold efficiency) psu and it works just fine and at a cheaper price also.

Hi wkweewee. Not sure why you "haha". A bit hard not to take it that you are making fun of my choices. Was that your intention? Just clarifying.

I know SSD vs Caviar Black is a no-fight. I didn't claim otherwise.

I am not using an SSD right now and I am fine with the loading times. Like I said, I have a budget so I need to pick and choose. Can't buy everything. And I have identified SSD as being non-essential to my needs (mainly gaming and surfing internet).

Good advice on mobo, thanks. Just liked the look of the z97 pro. But rather save money.

Agreed on RAM. I will probably settle for 8GB.

 

[TomBadgerlock]

As you said, watchdog uses a lot of VRAM, 4GB in ultra. But if u wanna hit 60fps in ultra in 1440p, your 780 will run out of raw power before you can utilise the 6GB VRAM.

So, either get the 780 ghz (if you can find) or 290x 4GB at $688.

Thank you for that clear and concise explanation. That was helpful

 

[shadow84]

SSD is mainly for user experience on non gaming stuff, like surfing internet, opening of applications (MS office), etc.

It will definitely benefit a lot if u had one. TBH, this is 2014. Not to have ssd in your system is like going back to 2009 and before... After some usage of ur pc, ur hdd will start to feel sluggish in everyday usage. This is where SSD will shine a lot.

I really recommend getting at least 256gb ssd as ur budget allows, if its $2500. Dun go too much with your rams, mobo and psu and im pretty sure you can afford to have a 256gb ssd. Only cost $162 or so.

 

[Ark Law]

Go kill yourself if you do not get an SSD

 

[shadow84]

Go kill yourself if you do not get an SSD

That's a bit too extreme liao la....

 

[Reppps]

unless you want random 100% disk spikes on your hdd, get an ssd

 

[wkweewee]

Hi wkweewee. Not sure why you "haha". A bit hard not to take it that you are making fun of my choices. Was that your intention? Just clarifying.

Errm.. since my haha was misunderstood, then I shall remove it then lol. My 'haha's' context is/was will never be used to laugh at people as it is not my way of looking at things. It is to make light of everything. You can check out all my posts lol. Cheers.

*You can get the H97 Pro mobo also. Has almost the same look.

 

[shadow84]

Errm.. since my haha was misunderstood, then I shall remove it then lol. My 'haha's' context is/was will never be used to laugh at people as it is not my way of looking at things. It is to make light of everything. You can check out all my posts lol. Cheers.

Lol, he take things too seriously liao...

 

[Jian19]

Use instead

 

[TomBadgerlock]

Lol, he take things too seriously liao...

Yes, I do take things very seriously. I shall try to be more light-hearted

That being said, aren't you being a bit...rude? Ark Law?

Go kill yourself if you do not get an SSD

 

[TomBadgerlock]

unless you want random 100% disk spikes on your hdd, get an ssd

Okie, thanks for everyone's advice (including Ark Law ) on SSD being a must-buy. I will definitely re-consider my setup.

Hope you don't mind explaining why 'random 100% disk spikes' are a bad thing though?